Stanton is a single star system, discovered in 2903. It is the only system with a green zone reaching four planets, making it suitable for human life. All worlds have undergone limited terraforming and have flora and fauna with divergent ecologies. They are also corporate-owned while belonging to the United Empire of Earth.

Jurisdiction

Shortly after the discovery of the System, all planets were sold by the government to corporations. These four worlds are the only privately-owned worlds in the Empire. Though subject to the UEE's Common Law and standard penal code, the UEE does not police the region. Instead, private planetary security teams enforce the local law. [1]

History

Settlement

The first settlers are unknown. An unnamed free agent trader discovered the system. In 2903, Toshi Aaron was credited with the official discovery after selling the jump data to the UEE. They declared Stanton to be a case of 'eminent domain', citing a need to protect and extend nearby jump lanes. Without formal colonisation papers on file, the existing inhabitants had little choice but to abandon their homesteads: prospectors, survivalists and other squatters have little means to protect themselves from the might of a Bengal-class carrier.[2]

The Sale of Stanton I, II, III and IV

ArcCorp had been lobbying for this very opportunity, but wishing to purchase a continent - way more land than is usually sold in parcels. Some members of the UEE Senate pushed for continental sale within the Stanton system, until the idea arises to try and sell the entire planets for the biggest potential profit over a short timespan. ArcCorp agrees to this proposition, and it is brought to the Senate floor for a wider vote, which passes - albeit after much contentious debate, because while the planets must continue to abide by UEE Common Laws, planetary level jurisdiction will fall to the corporations. A bidding process opens up, and Megacorporations are quietly contacted to bid for their own planets.

The winners are believed to have flushed trillions into the UEE economy: Hurston Dynamics, Crusader Industries, ArcCorp and microTech. The four worlds are now named Hurston, Crusader, ArcCorp and microTech. While the plan initially was for Crusader to be sold on a 'buy one, get one free' basis due to its lack of land, this was not a sticking point for Crusader who adapted and expanded the existing Naval shipyards for the manufacture of their own spacecraft. The system became fully industrialised. All worlds are now dotted with factories, corporate headquarters, testing ranges, mines and other company facilities. Only those working for the corporations (or anyone leasing their space) come to live in the Stanton system, inhabiting company towns.[2]

Legacy

Stanton offers materials produced by the four corporations. It also has a high demand for goods they need to keep working.[1] Due to opening their world to other companies including competitors, ArcCorp is now so heavily urbanised that it is approaching the same planetary status as a Xi'an factory world.< citation needed > Hurston has undergone such pollution that its dominant savannah biome has been devastated, with air quality now a concern for those who live on the planet.[3] microTech makes use of their planet's cold temperature for optimal running of data servers [2] and Crusader has recently begun to face issues with Outlaw activity in the shipping lanes..< citation needed >

A low mass gas giant that features a breathable atmosphere at high altitudes. This was an ideal situation for ship manufacturer Crusader Industires, who now occupies the planet's floating platforms to build massive ships like the Starliner.[5]

For Alpha 3.0, the planetoid asteroid Delamar is temporarily located in Stanton outside the orbit of Crusader. It will eventually be moved to its lore-friendly system - Nyx and replaced with an Exchange Station akin to GrimHEX's original function.

Buildings cover a majority of the planet's surface with residential areas relegated to the poles while the company's factories, business headquarters, financial and commercial districts are located in between.[6]

A terraforming error left the planet with an unnaturally dense cloud cover and a colder than average climate, making it an ideal location for its owner to house its heat-sensitive computing and manufacturing centers.[7]

Asteroid Belts

The Stanton system contains one asteroid belt. The Aaron Halo is located between the orbits of Crusader and ArcCorp.[8]